Everything that endeared Brandon Isaac to the Argos’ coaching staff and players has been on display virtually from the moment he resurfaced with the team, the team-first approach, the ability to take a newcomer aside and teach them the ropes and the swagger.

It’s the B.I. of old and not an old Brandon Isaac, who lost his way, admittedly, while at the same time losing a step, which isn’t entirely good when one’s job involves dropping into coverage and playing man defence.

In football, no one knows how well good habits and good practice days transfer on to the field when the games begin to count in the standings, but Isaac has lived up to all the expectations head coach Scott Milanovich envisioned when he reached out to the veteran this off-season.

“He’s brought what I had hoped he would bring,’’ said Milanovich following Monday’s practice at York Stadium. “Veteran leadership, some intensity to your defence and help all the young guys in the secondary understand this league and get them lined up.

“He’s done a tremendous job and I’m extremely pleased with where he’s at. He’s been hurt on and off again the last while, but he’s had a nice camp.”

Isaac was introduced to the CFL by Chris Jones when the two were in Calgary.

When Milanovich brought Jones to Toronto in 2012, the year GM Jim Barker hired Milanovich, Isaac would soon follow, helping anchor a defence that grew and would become the back bone to the team’s Grey Cup championship that season.

In 2013, Isaac’s peers would name him captain, but things went off the rails for Isaac, who was eventually released by the team after he clashed with Jones.

Isaac made a stop in Hamilton, where his big-play ability coming off the edge forced Ricky Ray to hurry a deep ball in the East final, a game the visiting Ticats would win by keeping Toronto’s much-vaunted offence off the scoreboard in the second half.

Isaac, by football standards, fell off the radar as his game began to fall off.

A year out of the game allowed Isaac to spend more time with his girlfriend, the two eventually getting marries.

He will be a father soon and he now has a chance to reassert himself in the CFL.

At strong side linebacker, there’s no assurance, no telling what the Argos are going to do with Greg Jones (middle linebacker) and Cory Greenwood (weak side linebacker) all but assured of starting jobs.

It’s why Thursday’s pre-season finale in Montreal looms large, not just for Isaac but more most of the players competing for a spot.

“I’d say B.I. has the inside track,’’ said Milanovich.

It’s music to the ears of Isaac, but at the same time he knows how nothing can ever be taken for granted.

“I feel good,’’ he said. “I feel like I’m in sync. I feel like I’m becoming myself again. There’s a lot of things I did this season and I want to give them a shout out in helping me out and getting me to this place.

“The University of South Carolina (Isaac’s alma mater), a couple of guys were working on my body, a chiro who lined me up properly, a masseuse and a trainer who worked on my strength and technique. I benefited from a lot of things. Now, I make sure I’m doing the maintenance on my body. It’s going well.”

It’s believed a groin injury held Isaac back a little bit in camp, but he’s flying around, one of the few veterans on defence who truly knows the many ins and outs of the CFL.

The other day in camp, players on defence were challenged by the coaching staff and they responded.

There’s talent on both sides of the ball, but Toronto’s defence seems to be ahead of the team’s offence.

Once the season begins, and it kicks off on June 27, ball security and discipline will be keys.

“We have a lot of athletic guys on defence who can make a lot of plays,’’ said Isaac. “The main thing, though, is having chemistry and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our defence, playing together as a unit, no one becoming selfish and trying to do their own thing.”

For a guy who talked smack on the field, Isaac now talks to himself.

“Believe it or not, I’m talking to myself,’’ said Isaac. “You are what you think. I tell myself a lot that I’m a great person, a great leader, man and a great husband.

“And those things are carrying over and allowing me to be a more humble person, appreciate the small things. Last year at this time I was struggling with life because football was taken away from me, but now I have an opportunity, and I’m blessed with the opportunity. I have to make the best of it.”

And chances are the best of Isaac is yet to come.

LOTS OF COMPETITION IN THE BACK FIELD

Just when it appeared Curtis Steele was the odds-on favourite to serve as the incumbent running back, all bets are now off.

“It’s fairly open,’’ said head coach Scott Milanovich.

Steele suffered a setback Sunday when he sustained a slight injury.

He was scheduled to be checked out on Monday.

In the Argos’ system, backs have to be able to pass protect.

No matter how fast they run with the football and no matter how good their hands are when they release out of the backfield, it’s of no consequence if they can’t blitz pick up.

Henry Josey is a very good football player with talent, but the Argos have yet to see how Josey holds up in blitz protection.

Veteran Chad Kackert remains a possibility, even though the 2012 Grey Cup MVP is unsigned.

In the Argos’ scheme, Kackert is the perfect back, but he’s had a tough run of late battling injuries.

The way the Argos do business, the team will pursue and explore any and all options.